Episode 85: "Pathological" Demand Avoidance? Words Matter
The language around autism and neurodiversity in general is changing. We talk with Kristy Forbes, founder of Australia-based inTune Pathways, about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), the difference between PDA and other types of demand avoidance, and the changing language of autism, especially the terminology society uses to describe neurodivergent people.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Kristy Forbes is the founder of inTune Pathways, is autistic herself, and has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). She is a Mother to four autistic children, ranging in age from 5 years to 21 years, all with varying autistic expression including non speaking and PDA, and she is married to an autistic man.
Kristy has the unique experience and insight into many perspectives: the teacher, the support specialist, the parent, the partner and the person. She understands, accepts, and acknowledges the very real challenges neurodivergent people and their families face, and the severely misunderstood and often undermined position they are in.
BACKGROUND READING
Harry Thompson’s appearance on episode 54, Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance
Download a transcript of episode 85, thanks to our Patreon patrons. You can support us too, by going here.